Association between social capital and loneliness among older adults: a cross-sectional study in Anhui Province, China

Bai, Zhongliang; Wang, Zijing; Shao, Tiantai; Xia, Qing; Zhi, Hu

doi:10.1186/s12877-020-01973-2

Cited by 34 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…In this study, among both men and women, older adults who participated more frequently in a variety of community activities had a lower risk of loneliness than those who did not. Engagement in diverse social activities in later life has been reported to provide opportunities for older adults to exchange similar interests, share life experiences, and facilitate social connections, which may alleviate their loneliness [ 40 , 41 ]. Our findings support previous literature reporting the beneficial effect of social activity on late-life loneliness in both men and women [ 15 , 41 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Differences in Correlates of Loneliness among Community-Dwelling Older Koreans

Kim

Lee

2022

IJERPH

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Background: Despite a relatively large number of studies exploring late-life loneliness, few studies have compared gender differences in the correlates of loneliness of older adults. Thus, we examined the gender differences in correlates of loneliness among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of data from a parent study conducted among community-dwelling Koreans 65 years of age or older. Loneliness was measured by the 20-item Revised University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. As potential correlates, demographic, health-related, and social variables were included. Multivariate hierarchical regression analyses were performed separately by gender. Results: Men were more likely to be lonely than women, after controlling for demographic, health-related, and social variables. A social network of family ties and being married were found to be inversely correlated with loneliness in men but not in women. A social network of friendship ties and participation in a variety of community activities were inversely correlated with loneliness in both men and women. Conclusions: A social network of family ties and being married may help reduce late-life loneliness, particularly among men. This study highlights the importance of considering gender differences in the design of strategies for preventing and alleviating late-life loneliness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Differences in Correlates of Loneliness among Community-Dwelling Older Koreans

Kim

Lee

2022

IJERPH

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“…The CSSCS, which is widely used to assess the social capital of Chinese older adults [ 40 , 44 , 45 ], is a 22-item 5-point Likert (ranging from 1 = “very inconsistent” to 5 = “very consistent) scoring scale. The scale includes two subscales of structural social capital (11 items, comprising three dimensions: social participation, social support, and social connection) and cognitive social capital (11 items, comprising three dimensions: trust, cohesion, and reciprocity).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between social capital and frailty and the mediating effect of health-promoting lifestyles in Chinese older adults: a cross-sectional study

Jin

2022

BMC Geriatr

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Background To explore the association between social capital and frailty and the mediating effect of health-promoting lifestyles among Chinese older adults, while providing scientific evidence for frailty intervention. Methods In May 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 674 Chinese older adults in Changsha city. Data was collected using the Chinese Shortened Social Capital Scale (comprising structural social capital and cognitive social capital as two subscales), a simplified version of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile and the Tilburg Frailty Indicator. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between social capital and frailty. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediating effect of health-promoting lifestyles. Results Cognitive social capital was significantly negatively associated with frailty and its three dimensions (physical, psychological, and social frailty), but structural social capital was not. Health-promoting lifestyles played a mediating role in the associations of cognitive social capital with frailty, physical and psychological frailty, but not with social frailty. Conclusions Higher cognitive social capital was associated with a reduced likelihood of frailty. The health-promoting lifestyles partially mediated the association between cognitive social capital and frailty. The use of health-promoting lifestyles or appropriate cognitive social capital interventions may reduce frailty among older adults.

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“…While older adults living alone tend to be dependent on others for help in daily life, as well as psychological needs, and medical care, establishing how to care for this group is a challenge globally [ 2 – 4 ]. Unmet needs may lead to a high incidence of accidents, psychological problems such as loneliness and “empty-nest syndrome”, and cognitive impairment, which may seriously affect quality of life [ 5 – 9 ]. The provision of family care and home and community-based services (HCBS) provides a potential solution for this problem.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why do older adults living alone in cities cease seeking assistance? A qualitative study in China

Gong

Qin

et al. 2022

BMC Geriatr

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Background Against the background of an aging population, older adults living alone in cities are increasingly dependent. However, their use of home and community-based services in China is unsatisfactory. This study attempted to figure out why older adults living alone in cities do not actively seek assistance in China. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted. A total of 29 older adults were recruited. Content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Results Three themes were identified. (1) Desire for independence, despite hardship: The lives of older adults involve many inconveniences, but they preferred to solve problems by themselves, instead of asking for help; (2) Desire to not overburden jiaren (meaning family in Chinese): older adults did not want to disturb families or burden children with caring responsibilities. Moreover, previous experience of failing to obtain care made them reluctant to seek help from jiaren; (3) Desire to not bother wairen (meaning people other than family in Chinese): The lack of trust caused by being unfamiliar with wairen, and the fear of being a burden to others if they were not able to reciprocate, made older adults reluctant to seek help from wairen. Conclusions Changes in social, economic, and demographic structures have led to gradual failure of family care. Older adults accustomed to an “acquaintance society” have not yet adapted to seeking help from the community. When addressing the problem of care for older adults living alone in cities, it is important to focus on the profound impact of social change.

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Association between social capital and loneliness among older adults: a cross-sectional study in Anhui Province, China

Cited by 34 publications

References 51 publications

Gender Differences in Correlates of Loneliness among Community-Dwelling Older Koreans

Gender Differences in Correlates of Loneliness among Community-Dwelling Older Koreans

Association between social capital and frailty and the mediating effect of health-promoting lifestyles in Chinese older adults: a cross-sectional study

Why do older adults living alone in cities cease seeking assistance? A qualitative study in China

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